GYMNASTICS

Team Nigeria's hope of accomplishing the feat which they achieved in 2003 was not met at the just concluded 12th All Africa Games. Nigeria who finished second behind Egypt had a total of 126 medals (46 gold, 33 silver and 47 bronze medals).

Egypt finished top of the table with a total of 270 medals (101 gold, 97 silver and 72 bronze medals).

Nigeria secured her 46 gold medals in Athletics (10), Badminton(1), Basketball(1), Boxing. Others are (1), Canoeing (4), Football-Female(1), Gymnastics (1), Table Tennis (2) Taekwondo (1) weightlifting(16) and Wrestling (7).

Nigeria's finish with 46 gold medals in Morocco is 39 gold medals less what she achieved in 2003 on home soil. They finished top with 85 gold medals at the Games in 2003, and are yet to ever finish top for a second time.

The nation's hope of breaking the 46-year-old jinx in male football at the games was unsuccessful. It was Burkina Faso who denied the Flying Eagles that opportunity in Rabat. Scoring twice in the first half to win.

Egypt emerged as overall champions for the seventh time since the inception of the Games, but have won only once on home soil in 1991 when the city of Cairo hosted the event. A feat in which team Nigeria must emulate and be willing to accomplish.

Interestingly, Nigeria started off the competition without a Sports Minister. The newly appointed Sports Minister Mr. Sunday Dare joined the team after his appointment.